Sky's the limit: Saturn has revealed the name of its upcoming Kappa-based rear-wheel-drive roadster. Stand back: It's the Sky. Saturn claims the two-seater is the first of many models that will carry the new design ethos of Saturn, which is to say, "Taut, controlled lines combine with harmonious and fluid surfacing to create a technical and dynamic feel," according to Ed Welburn, vice-president of GM design. Expect to see the Sky in showrooms early next year.

No pressure: Michelin introduced a concept tire that is puncture-proof because it operates without air pressure. Dubbed the Michelin Airless, the tire is supported by a rib-like series of metal and composite bands that are 0.6 inch apart; Michelin calls that a "fly trap." Attached to the rib-like bands is the rubber tread. The supporting bands are designed to last the life of the car, whereas the rubber tread can be replaced as necessary. There are no immediate plans to go into production, but Michelin has not ruled out the Airless.

Future Roller: A new convertible from the crew from Crewe is being promised for the 2007 model year. Styling for the four-seat, two-door Rolls-Royce droptop is said to have been inspired by the 100EX concept that wowed the masses at the 2004 Geneva show. According to Rolls, the car will employ a version of the aluminum space-frame platform that underpins the Phantom sedan, the only car that Rolls makes these days. Similarly, power will come from the Phantom's 6.7-liter V-12, which is based on a BMW 6.0-liter V-12. If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. Let's just say the price will likely be somewhere north of $400,000.

Bonnie voyage: Pontiac is unsure whether it will continue to build its large sedan, the Bonneville, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. Pontiac-GMC marketing general manager Jim Bunnell admitted the division is unsure how the Bonnie will fit in the lineup after 2005. "We'll build the Bonneville through the '05 model year, but beyond that, we aren't sure what we'll do," he said. The Bonneville has been in a sales slide, selling just 27,000 units through the first 10 months of 2004. It's unknown whether a sedan will replace the Bonneville or if a car-based SUV will get the top spot at Pontiac. What is known is that Pontiac trademarked the alphanumeric name G8 earlier this year, and whatever type of vehicle replaces the Bonneville will bear that name.

Sixing-up the lineup: The 268-hp, 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 introduced under the hood of the Mercedes SLK350 will soon find its way into the engine bays of the E-class and C-class. The E350 will go on sale in March in the U.S. as a 2006, and an all-wheel-drive 4MATIC model will follow close behind. Mercedes claims the E350 will lop 0.8 second off the burst to 60 mph. Following the E-class will be the smaller C350, which should turn up this fall. The sole transmission for both models will be a seven-speed automatic.

Toyota to build future hybrids in the U.S.: Toyota is reportedly studying the possibility of building hybrid versions of its vehicles in the U.S., reports trade journal Automotive News. The move would make sense, as Toyota plans eventually to offer hybrid variants of every one of its vehicles. California governor Schwarzenegger has reportedly offered Toyota tax incentives to build hybrids in that state.

Goodbye, old friends: After selling the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari vans for 20 years, GM is at last pulling the plug. Both will disappear from showrooms sometime this year. The rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame platform was introduced in 1985, just as the minivan boom was taking off. Largely unchanged for years, the Astro/Safari became a favorite of minivan fans who like to tow and florists who deliver. The van even proved to be popular in Japan, where it is often customized by a culture entranced by its boxy shape. (The Astro and Safari's popularity in Japan may even explain the Scion xB's styling.)

Cadillac diesel: Cadillac hopes to sell 20,000 vehicles a year in Europe by 2010. To achieve that goal, GM understands it will need a refined and powerful diesel engine for the foreign market. Cadillac has approached BMW to discuss the possibility of purchasing diesel engines from the German company. Other diesel powerplants being considered are the V-6 in the Opel Vectra and several from Fiat.

Back-seat bullets: A study at the State University of New York-Buffalo found that rear-seat occupants involved in a head-on collision are three times more likely to die if they aren't wearing their seatbelts. Only a third of the states requires rear passengers to buckle up. The research looked at about 300,000 fatal crashes and also found that the driver or front-seat passenger is twice as likely to be killed in a head-on collision if the rear-seat occupants are unrestrained, as the back-seaters are hurtled into the front seat on impact.

Dude, where's my limo? Jürgen Schrempp, DaimlerChrysler chairman, may find himself walking to work. His armored S-class limo was stolen in broad daylight after being unattended for 20 minutes, according to the German newspaper Bild. The newspaper speculated that mobsters carefully planned the S-class heist and stole the car for a buyer in eastern Europe. Efforts to locate the vehicle using its GPS-based navigation system failed. This would be a good time for Schrempp to upgrade to a Maybach 62. Just a suggestion.